Spessart Hills Nature Park – a forest idyll in the heart of Europe

Located in north-west Bavaria, the Spessart Hills Nature Park protects one of Germany's largest and most beautiful deciduous forests. The hills are bordered by the valley of the river Main with its picture-perfect towns and castles.

Situated in the geographical centre of the European Union, the Spessart Hills Nature Park is celebrated for the ancient beech and oak forests that cover large parts of its gently undulating hills, occasionally giving way to clearings, streams and river valleys. Where bandits and poachers used to roam, today you can relax and enjoy the sights and scenery of the Spessart hills in all their natural beauty.

The hiking here is unbeatable, with 4,000 kilometres of trails, three certified long-distance routes and a unique network of European culture routes. Cyclists will enjoy the River Main Cycle Route and the trails in the Bikewald Spessart park. Various trails, two visitor centres and an interactive water exhibition will all help you get the best out of your time in the reserve, as will our qualified tour guides.

Cultural attractions are also on offer. A range of castles and palaces, among them Henneburg Castle in Stadtprozelten, and moated Mespelbrunn Castle, are popular destinations for a day trip. Also worth a visit are the picturesque medieval towns along the Main river, such as Lohr and Miltenberg. Fine food and drink are available at the village inns, beer gardens and wineries, where you can enjoy the diversity of Franconian cuisine, selected wines of the Main valley and locally sourced meat and game.